Category: Blog

Here at Castlelights, we specialize in landscape and architectural lighting. In this blog, we’re going to spend some time getting to grips with architectural lighting and why it is so important. So, if you’re wondering if you need our services for outside your home, then read on for more information. What is architectural lighting? Architectural lighting design is the art of lighting buildings and other physical features, be that your house and yard, or grand structures like landmarks and opera houses. It is done to enhance the appearance of the structure and highlight its most important features. It is also done with function in mind, so that the space or feature can be seen and navigated easily by people. There are lots of reasons why architecture lighting is so important,…

As with any home improvement task, adding outdoor lighting poses the question of whether you should do it yourself or call in the professionals. More than that, who you decide to hire can be a difficult decision. A variety of landscapers and other companies linked to the home and yard have added outdoor lighting to their repertoire, but they are not specialists. When installing outdoor lighting, it is best to hire a company that has the experience, skills, knowledge, and tools to design and install your landscape lighting in the best possible way. Here are some of the reasons why… We know what works best You might be confused by the many different options when looking at outdoor lighting fixtures. There are spotlights, bullet lights, path lights, underwater lights, upward…

Designing your landscape lighting is a great process where you can get really creative. You’ll have a few decisions to make, one of these being the direction your lights will point in. In this blog, we’ll look at the difference between uplighting and downlighting and how you can use these different outdoor lighting styles at your home. The difference between uplighting and downlighting The difference is simple when it comes to uplighting and downlighting – one points upward the other points downward. So, with uplighting, your lighting fixture will likely be on the ground or on a low wall, for example, and the stream of light will be directed upward. You can even embed landscape lighting within the ground so that the fixture itself is less noticeable. With downlighting, the…

The clocks have changed and winter is fast approaching, which means we’re often left getting up in the morning and coming home from work when it’s dark. But the lack of natural light doesn’t mean you have to be completely in the dark. Having well-placed outdoor lighting helps to light your way as well as adding curb appeal to your home. Update your outdoor lighting If you already have outdoor lighting, then it might need updating to suit the changing seasons. Outdoor lighting set with a manual timer will likely need adjusting to turn on earlier now that we have more hours of darkness. With these timers, you can decide when your landscape lighting switches on and off. If your lighting has an astronomical timer, then you shouldn’t need to…

A water feature can turn an otherwise ordinary garden into something with intrigue and even a little magic. They can provide a calming effect and, with the right lighting, can look like something straight out of a fairy tale. Whether you’ve already got a water feature or are planning on having one installed, here are some tips for choosing the right landscape lighting to accent and complement it. Underwater landscape lighting Landscape lighting designed to be watertight and resistant can create a wonderful effect by lighting from underneath the water. This is best used in water features that contain clear rather than murky water. Since the water will refract the light, you need to make sure the bulb is bright enough to still create an ambient effect. Highlighting your water…

Do you have a nice outdoor kitchen space that you like to use for al fresco cooking and dining, or for entertaining guests? Or are you considering installing one in your backyard? When it comes to designing your outdoor kitchen, landscape lighting is an important part of making the space complete. Here are some key ways architectural lighting can enhance your outdoor kitchen. You can enjoy the space after dark If you fancy some evening dining outside or are enjoying a few drinks into the night, then you don’t want to have your fun spoiled when it starts to get dark. Outdoor lighting in and around your kitchen area helps to keep the fun going as long as you like. You can use it all year round The issue of…

Having security lighting installed outside of your home is an effective way of deterring criminals from skulking about and choosing your home as a target. If you don’t already have exterior lights for your home, then consider the following kinds of security lights to help make your home or business premises a safer place. Motion sensor security lighting Motion sensor lighting ensures that light is provided when it is needed rather than constantly. This helps to bring down your energy bills as you won’t have additional lights on all night. This lighting detects when someone enters its field of “vision” and illuminates. This helps to illuminate the way for authorized visitors to your home and deter unauthorized visitors from going any further. Smart timer security lighting Exterior lights fitted…

Outdoor landscape lighting is like the icing on the cake when it comes to designing a yard that looks incredible and provides the functionality you need. But, there are so many choices to make when it comes to your landscape lighting, and it can be difficult to plan. So, we’ve got a bunch of tips and the latest trends to help you choose the best outdoor lights for your home. Things to consider It can be hard to know where to start when designing your landscape lighting, so here are some ideas and questions to get you started. Do you have existing fixtures? The boring part of adding landscape lighting to your yard is dealing with all the electricals. If you have existing fixtures outside your home, then the job…

Summertime is great if you love spending time outdoors. But even when you step outside to entertain, your night can be ruined by pesky insects that are drawn to your outdoor lights. Even with pest control measures in place, some landscape lights still attract bugs in droves. Because outdoor lighting is beneficial for your safety and security, turning off your lights isn’t always the best solution. Instead, opt for lightbulbs that are less likely to attract insects in the first place. Why do bugs flock to light? You may have noticed that only certain types of insects are attracted to light, while others shy away. The way an organism’s body physically responds to light is known as phototaxis. Unfortunately for us, many flying insects have positive phototaxis, meaning they are…

If you’re planning on landscaping your garden this year, then you’ll want to know about all the hot outdoor lighting trends that are becoming popular this year. Read on for the top 5 trends of 2018. 1. Eco-friendly outdoor lighting Everyone’s trying to go greener in their everyday life, and outdoor lighting is a great place to make a difference. Solar-powered lights are especially popular in locations with warm, sunny climates, helping to save money and use less energy when lighting the front and backyard. LED lights are also a popular eco-friendly choice because they operate at a lower voltage and use less energy than other types of bulbs while still producing plenty of illumination. 2. Smart timers It seems like smart technology is being applied to everything, and outdoor…